“Not if shemakes it throughThriller Thursday,” Ayan says before slamming the door behind him.
My neck tightens.
They have it out for Scout.
Which means this Thursday?
I have to find her first.
eleven
I’m a runner.
Not a sprinter, but my body is small. Agile. Built for distance. And exactly the type ofOmegawe need to win tonight.
Dressed head to toe in black, I match all the other sisters. We’re nervously shifting our weight around in the grand ballroom of Sanguine Manor. Though it’s not sograndanymore.
Ellis’s shoe cracks an old marble tile when a clap of thunder cuts through the air. Lightning strobes across the crumbling walls, setting our terrified faces aglow. This is the only room with uncovered windows. They line the entire length along one side. The rest of the place is boarded up. Dark. Pitch black in areas. That will be to our advantage.
An inescapable odor of dust and smoke floats through every space. Already choking. Making the rooms feel smaller.
Because the hooded guys behind us? Theylookhungry. A few grunt. One adjusts himself in his black jeans until my upper lip curls with disgust. Most already have their gas masks pulled over their faces, concealing their identities. Their fraternity color, encapsulated in a vial of neon paint attached to their hoodies, is the only clue who they are.
I can’t get caught.
“Alright, listen up!” Ayan claps his hands and pulls everyone’s attention to the dais in front. My stomach sinks to my feet, especially seeing how giddy he is for this game. Maybe he’ll aim straight for Lakshmi, allowing me to gain points forOmegawhile leavingIotawith a devastating loss. Having their president tagged immediately would be horrific for them.
Betahosts the event and is expected to win. But given the smug smile crossing Ayan’s face? I cantastevictory. I need it.
“It’s Thriller Thursday. Here are the rules: Sisters? You are themice. There are several hidden staircases in this mansion. And two to the attic. Your goal is to scamper toward one to get away from the fumigation bombs the alumni release at regular intervals. One point to your house for every sister who makes it to the attic. Hide. Fight. Or get dragged to the basement where the exterminators await.”
Ellis glances at me, eyes wide. I nod at her and she at me. “We got this,” I whisper with confidence. But my heart pounds against my ribs, taking my breath with every beat.
“Brothers, you’re the exterminators. You need to capture,tag, and haul your prey to the basement and lock them up in the cages below. One point for every capture.”
“What’s legal for tagging?” One of the men’s muffled yells blares from just behind my left shoulder. I flinch.
“As long as you get some cum on her…orin her, it’s legal. Just make sure you spread your fraternity glow paint on the back of her neck, so we know who tagged her first.”
The more they talk about it, the sweatier my palms get. Boys surge forward as if they’re ready to roll out. We sisters give each other looks. Ones that say:I got your back, no matter what.
But I know from last year it’s a lie. As soon as Ayan blows the horn? We’re on our own. Fighting for survival. And those girls that look at me like a companion now? They won’t hesitate to give me up so they can survive.
“And groups?” another guy shouts.
Ayan’s sneer is so sinister, I want to smack him. He deserves that, at the very least.
“Grouping up is one of the best ways to grab a bunch of mice and tag them. It’s encouraged. Justtrynot to rip her limbs apart or tear her too badly. The judges look down on that.”
The brothers’ collective chuckle makes my throat clench with nausea.
It feels like my lungs are working. My chest rises and falls, but I’m out of breath. This is worse than before a marathon. Despite participating in Massacre Monday this year, this event isutterlyterrifying.
My long braid sticks to my neck, and I flip it over my shoulder. The murmuring in the room is overwhelming. Sounds feel muffled, though that’s probably just my sympathetics kicking in. Squeezing my eyes closed, I take a long, deep breath. Then cough out the musty smell.
“Sisters, you get a five-minute head start to run and hide. On your marks…”
Three sets of double doors fly open, and the crowd surges forward.
